-Japanese Catholic troops enter Korea, but not as influential
-Yi Pyok brought Christian ideas from China with Lee Sung Hun, built Church in 1784
-Korea was Confucianist
-Since Koreans brought Christianity, it was more accepted by people
2. Growth of Christianity
1780~1880
-Goryo was Buddhism
-Chosun converted to Confucianism b/c Buddhism was corrupted
-After the first Church, the equality&merit system appealed to people
-people were persecuted but the religion still spread
3. Introduction to Protestantism
1880~early 1900s
-Dr. Horace Allen:first Protestant missionary (was a physician)
-created missionary (made schools, religious institution, health care places, printing press, orphanage etc)
-increasing number
-Bible written in Korean->higher literacy->nationalism
4. Korean Christianity and Japanese Occupation
1910~1945
-Japanese hated Korean Christian community (b/c Christians opposed Japanese ruling)
-Japanese forced Koreans to convert to Shintoism, Koreans rejected. Korean pride/unity spread Christianity faster
5. Korean Christianity since 1945
1945~present
-During and after the Korean war, Christians aided people with supplies
-60's and 70's Christians participated in democratizing Korea
-For the past few decades, Korea became modernized which Christianity took a part in (b/c Christianity is a western religion)
How did the folktale enable your group to understand Korean culture? The folktale helped us understand Korean culture because it showed the hierarchy (errand boys, noble, king, etc) in Korean society, people’s beliefs in supernatural existences such as the ghost, and the roles and abilities of fortune tellers of the time.
List three things that surprised your group in reading the Korean folktale.
The three things that surprised our group was the the ghost that trailed the errand boys, how the ghost easily killed the daughter of the noble, and how easily the daughter came back to life after the ghosts migrated somewhere else.3. Compare and contrast the Korean folk tale to one in any other nation.Aesop’s folk tale, The Boy Who Cried Wolf is comparable to this folktale in several ways. First of all, the fortuneteller at first seems to trick people into believing that his skills are effective, also in the Boy Who Cried Wolf, the boy tricked people into believing that actual wolves were attacking the sheeps. For the fortune teller, the King finally believed him right before he was executed, and the fortune teller was executed and he didn’t get to prove by himself that his ability to bring people back alive and scare away ghosts were possible. A similar situation can be viewed from the Boy Who Cried Wolf. People finally believed in the boy after he was eaten by the wolf, the people refused to believe him when he finally told the truth at the end. However, the boy and the fortune tellers situation are not similar because the fortune teller’s situation is more serious and intense than the boy who cried wolf.4. What role do folktales play in all cultures?Folktales of all cultures show at least one theme or moral and teach the people what one should do and shouldn’t. The moral of this story is that one shouldn't judge something by looking at its outer appearance, and also that what one sees isn't everything. When the King opened up the rat later in the story, there were two baby rats, which proved the fortuneteller right; there was more to what the King could see. Also, even before the fortuneteller met the King, he predicted his death when the demons rushed out of the sealed room, which tells how good the fortuneteller's abilities are, yet the King doubted about the fortuneteller. However it was too late when this was found out.
Legalism
1) In Han Fei's ideal state, the supreme governing authority is the law. Rulers should always uphold laws to strengthen and protect his people, and ministers who follow the discipline should be promoted.
2) The Two Handles represent the ruler's chastisement (ex: punishment) and commendation (ex: encouragement). This is important to a legalist state because the ruler should be able to handle both to maintain a stable state. The sovereign shouldn't lose control of either of them because if the ministers start controlling the Handles, then people will listen and fear the ministers and ignore the ruler. The ruler would have no control from then.
3) In Legalism, the law is put before the individual plan of the ruler. The ruler should put public laws before private actions to make a better society
4) I think Legalism appealed to some people who wanted definite rules and order. The Zhao Dynasty (when Legalism appeared) the country was in chaos, so the people would have wanted strong laws to keep peace and put things in control.
5) A Daoist would respond that the purpose of good government is to let the Nature be on its way to create peace and harmony for the people. He/she would say that in formulating law, human's natural morality and behaviors take a big role in making harmony. The qualities of a superior leader include leaving people by themselves so that things can work out on its own and not interrupting Nature. A Daoist would disagree to the proposition 'might makes right' because from a Daoist's point of view, power isn't everything; the Wu Wei and letting Nature flow.
A Confucian would say that a purpose of good government is to be a good example to the people so that people will be enlightened. The role of morality in making laws is crucial for a Confucian because Confucianism is mainly based on respecting others and spreading knowledge. The qualities of a superior ruler includes being chosen by the Mandate of Heaven and being moral so that people can follow the ruler. A Confucian wouldn't strongly agree nor disagree to the statement "Might makes right" because in a Confucian government, spreading enlightenment, knowledge and education is a key factor of a ruler rather than controlling the people. In addition, Confucianism prefers meritocracy over nepotism, so power doesn't determine your position; your abilities do.
The purpose of a good government for a Legalist would be to create strong rules and have balanced Handles to control the people and make a good society. Morality takes a big role in formulating law because Legalism is trying to set morality throughout the society by making strict rules. A good ruler should maintain the Two Handles wisely and take laws more importantly than private issues. A Legalist would agree to the statement 'might makes right' because strong rules can set peace in the society.
Taoism
Essential Questions of Taoism
In Lectures on the Tao Teh Ching, Lao-Tzu says, that, "The mystery of the Mysterious is the gateway to all indescribable marvels". Does this quote have an equivalent to in Christianity? Are there other parts of the Tao Teh Ching that remind you of Christian ideals?
This quote has some connections to Christianity, for Christianity also teaches people to show compassion and kindness (which would also include having no desire or greed) to reach Heaven. Other part of Tao The Ching that reminded me of Christianity is the concept of Heaven, although the two philosophy and religion define it differently.
2. See Passage 2, "Not honoring men....Not wanting rare things...Not paying attention..." How are does this help one understand how Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism found common ground and were not mutually exclusive belief systems?
First of all, the statement is about secluding oneself from greed, desire, and pride. It shows the basic principles of both Taoism and Buddhism: restraining oneself from 'corrupt' ideas. The passage also shows Confucianism because Confucianism is basically about respecting others, and the first line of the passage 'Not honoring men … ' tells how one can be respectful by not trying to compete against each other and to show off one's talents.
3.In Passage 2, what do you think is meant by the lines, "relaxing the mind, reinforcing the abdomen, gentling the will, strengthening the bones"?
I think the part means that one shouldn't only train one's mind to be free of things that go against the Nature, but also the physical body. You must be physically ready before you go deeper. It says to reinforce the abdomen because that is where our Chi (energy) comes from, and to strengthen the bones because bones support our body.
4.Consider the last three entries from D.C. Lau's Lao Tzu: Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu describes government. How is this ideal different from Confucius' ideal? What present day system of government are you reminded of when you read this section? Do you think this is a good system? Explain.
Lao Tzu's ideal government is where the leader does not interfere with the people; the Wu Wei (no action) would eventually lead to the prosper of the people and the people becoming 'uncarved blocks'. Confucius's ideal government was one in which the leader, chosen by the Mandate of Heaven, would show a good example, thus making the people follow the example and become good. People will automatically follow and obey a good leader.
The present day government resembles the Confucianist government rather than the Taoist government; the government, composed of many intellects and other outstanding people, would try to lead the people to the right way.
I don't think Lao Tzu's ideal government is a good system because if the leader actually does nothing and leaves things as they flow, no one will actually stick to the morals and there will be more problems. 5.Regarding the third treasure that Lao Tzu describes, what do you think is his message? Do you agree? What does this say about people who are ambitious?
I think Lao Tzu's message is that if the ruler does not seek even more power (the ruler is humble and not greedy) , eventually people who work for him will follow him more, for they would learn how modest the ruler is.
I agree that a ruler must be humble and not desirous, for if the ruler isn't, he/she would stop caring about the people but only think about gaining more power.
This quote tells that some ambitious people might be too eager to achieve the goal that they could forget about the main principle (ex: a ruler too passionate could stop caring about his people).
Chuang Zi and the Butterfly
Why does the author choose a butterfly? The author chose a butterfly because unlike humans, butterflies have freedom. Many people are bound to human-made things such as money, class, etc, but butterflies have no greed; they just live.
What is the importance of the water cycle? The water cycle is important because things are constantly changing. Even if you were something, you will soon become something else. I believe that the poem is saying that since things don't remain the same, you shouldn't meddle over it too much.
What is the point about the 'man raising melons'? The point of the man raising melons is that the melon man is very common, plain. So it means that even people who reached a high place in society (the melon man used to be a prince) could change and become a common man, so getting a lot of money and power isn't very important since we can always lose them at one point.
What is the author attempting to convey to the reader? The author is trying to convey that we always change and never know what will happen(ex: a prince to a melon man) so we shouldn't be obsessed with power and be greedy, but just live life to its fullest (which doesn't necessarily require money or social class) Also we shouldn't judge what will happen at the end as well.
Confucius's Ideal Government discussion question
1) If I were a ruler in time of Confucius, then I would definitely follow his advices. First of all, I wouldn't want my people to disobey my orders for not being a virtuous leader. Also if the people follow and learn from my good behaviors, there will be no troubles and fights among the people. In addition, I believe that enriching and educating the people are one of the main jobs of a leader: the wiser the people are, the less chaos there will be.
2) I think that Confucius's ideas about government could be useful to the governors today. The governors should act morally, not only to gain respect or popularity but to set an example of how the people should truly live. The leaders should also provide education to enlighten the people and provide knowledge. Then the world would be a place where everyone is satisfied.
But some problems of Confucius's perspective is that he is unrealistic. Once a governor gains power, he/she will desire for more strength, property, money, etc and eventually become a bad example for the people, then no one will follow them.
1) What is a religion?
Religion is a system of belief of one or more god or any other iconic figure and their teachings.
2)What is a philosophy?
Philosophy is the way of life and how one should conduct one's behaviors, usually set by a scholar, authority, and other influential person/people.
3)What do religion and philosophy have in common?
Religion and philosophy both set the ways the followers should live by. Also there is usually one great figure who first began the belief and is respected.
4)How is the study of religion and philosophy important?
Religion and philosophy both take up a large part of people's lives, for the people live by the philosophy/religion. Therefore religion and philosophy can help us understand a people's culture and history.
Current Events
Unit 3
Ancient History
==
Christianity in Korea
-Yi Pyok brought Christian ideas from China with Lee Sung Hun, built Church in 1784
-Korea was Confucianist
-Since Koreans brought Christianity, it was more accepted by people
-Chosun converted to Confucianism b/c Buddhism was corrupted
-After the first Church, the equality&merit system appealed to people
-people were persecuted but the religion still spread
-created missionary (made schools, religious institution, health care places, printing press, orphanage etc)
-increasing number
-Bible written in Korean->higher literacy->nationalism
-Japanese forced Koreans to convert to Shintoism, Koreans rejected. Korean pride/unity spread Christianity faster
-60's and 70's Christians participated in democratizing Korea
-For the past few decades, Korea became modernized which Christianity took a part in (b/c Christianity is a western religion)
Questions from reading :
Shintoism
Shamanism
Document 5- How did the folktale enable your group to understand Korean culture? The folktale helped us understand Korean culture because it showed the hierarchy (errand boys, noble, king, etc) in Korean society, people’s beliefs in supernatural existences such as the ghost, and the roles and abilities of fortune tellers of the time.
- List three things that surprised your group in reading the Korean folktale.
The three things that surprised our group was the the ghost that trailed the errand boys, how the ghost easily killed the daughter of the noble, and how easily the daughter came back to life after the ghosts migrated somewhere else.3. Compare and contrast the Korean folk tale to one in any other nation.Aesop’s folk tale, The Boy Who Cried Wolf is comparable to this folktale in several ways. First of all, the fortuneteller at first seems to trick people into believing that his skills are effective, also in the Boy Who Cried Wolf, the boy tricked people into believing that actual wolves were attacking the sheeps. For the fortune teller, the King finally believed him right before he was executed, and the fortune teller was executed and he didn’t get to prove by himself that his ability to bring people back alive and scare away ghosts were possible. A similar situation can be viewed from the Boy Who Cried Wolf. People finally believed in the boy after he was eaten by the wolf, the people refused to believe him when he finally told the truth at the end. However, the boy and the fortune tellers situation are not similar because the fortune teller’s situation is more serious and intense than the boy who cried wolf.4. What role do folktales play in all cultures?Folktales of all cultures show at least one theme or moral and teach the people what one should do and shouldn’t. The moral of this story is that one shouldn't judge something by looking at its outer appearance, and also that what one sees isn't everything. When the King opened up the rat later in the story, there were two baby rats, which proved the fortuneteller right; there was more to what the King could see. Also, even before the fortuneteller met the King, he predicted his death when the demons rushed out of the sealed room, which tells how good the fortuneteller's abilities are, yet the King doubted about the fortuneteller. However it was too late when this was found out.Legalism
1) In Han Fei's ideal state, the supreme governing authority is the law. Rulers should always uphold laws to strengthen and protect his people, and ministers who follow the discipline should be promoted.2) The Two Handles represent the ruler's chastisement (ex: punishment) and commendation (ex: encouragement). This is important to a legalist state because the ruler should be able to handle both to maintain a stable state. The sovereign shouldn't lose control of either of them because if the ministers start controlling the Handles, then people will listen and fear the ministers and ignore the ruler. The ruler would have no control from then.
3) In Legalism, the law is put before the individual plan of the ruler. The ruler should put public laws before private actions to make a better society
4) I think Legalism appealed to some people who wanted definite rules and order. The Zhao Dynasty (when Legalism appeared) the country was in chaos, so the people would have wanted strong laws to keep peace and put things in control.
5) A Daoist would respond that the purpose of good government is to let the Nature be on its way to create peace and harmony for the people. He/she would say that in formulating law, human's natural morality and behaviors take a big role in making harmony. The qualities of a superior leader include leaving people by themselves so that things can work out on its own and not interrupting Nature. A Daoist would disagree to the proposition 'might makes right' because from a Daoist's point of view, power isn't everything; the Wu Wei and letting Nature flow.
A Confucian would say that a purpose of good government is to be a good example to the people so that people will be enlightened. The role of morality in making laws is crucial for a Confucian because Confucianism is mainly based on respecting others and spreading knowledge. The qualities of a superior ruler includes being chosen by the Mandate of Heaven and being moral so that people can follow the ruler. A Confucian wouldn't strongly agree nor disagree to the statement "Might makes right" because in a Confucian government, spreading enlightenment, knowledge and education is a key factor of a ruler rather than controlling the people. In addition, Confucianism prefers meritocracy over nepotism, so power doesn't determine your position; your abilities do.
The purpose of a good government for a Legalist would be to create strong rules and have balanced Handles to control the people and make a good society. Morality takes a big role in formulating law because Legalism is trying to set morality throughout the society by making strict rules. A good ruler should maintain the Two Handles wisely and take laws more importantly than private issues. A Legalist would agree to the statement 'might makes right' because strong rules can set peace in the society.
Taoism
Essential Questions of Taoism- In Lectures on the Tao Teh Ching, Lao-Tzu says, that, "The mystery of the Mysterious is the gateway to all indescribable marvels". Does this quote have an equivalent to in Christianity? Are there other parts of the Tao Teh Ching that remind you of Christian ideals?
This quote has some connections to Christianity, for Christianity also teaches people to show compassion and kindness (which would also include having no desire or greed) to reach Heaven. Other part of Tao The Ching that reminded me of Christianity is the concept of Heaven, although the two philosophy and religion define it differently.2. See Passage 2, "Not honoring men....Not wanting rare things...Not paying attention..." How are does this help one understand how Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism found common ground and were not mutually exclusive belief systems?
First of all, the statement is about secluding oneself from greed, desire, and pride. It shows the basic principles of both Taoism and Buddhism: restraining oneself from 'corrupt' ideas. The passage also shows Confucianism because Confucianism is basically about respecting others, and the first line of the passage 'Not honoring men … ' tells how one can be respectful by not trying to compete against each other and to show off one's talents.
3.In Passage 2, what do you think is meant by the lines, "relaxing the mind, reinforcing the abdomen, gentling the will, strengthening the bones"?
I think the part means that one shouldn't only train one's mind to be free of things that go against the Nature, but also the physical body. You must be physically ready before you go deeper. It says to reinforce the abdomen because that is where our Chi (energy) comes from, and to strengthen the bones because bones support our body.
4.Consider the last three entries from D.C. Lau's Lao Tzu: Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu describes government. How is this ideal different from Confucius' ideal? What present day system of government are you reminded of when you read this section? Do you think this is a good system? Explain.
Lao Tzu's ideal government is where the leader does not interfere with the people; the Wu Wei (no action) would eventually lead to the prosper of the people and the people becoming 'uncarved blocks'. Confucius's ideal government was one in which the leader, chosen by the Mandate of Heaven, would show a good example, thus making the people follow the example and become good. People will automatically follow and obey a good leader.
The present day government resembles the Confucianist government rather than the Taoist government; the government, composed of many intellects and other outstanding people, would try to lead the people to the right way.
I don't think Lao Tzu's ideal government is a good system because if the leader actually does nothing and leaves things as they flow, no one will actually stick to the morals and there will be more problems.
5.Regarding the third treasure that Lao Tzu describes, what do you think is his message? Do you agree? What does this say about people who are ambitious?
I think Lao Tzu's message is that if the ruler does not seek even more power (the ruler is humble and not greedy) , eventually people who work for him will follow him more, for they would learn how modest the ruler is.
I agree that a ruler must be humble and not desirous, for if the ruler isn't, he/she would stop caring about the people but only think about gaining more power.
This quote tells that some ambitious people might be too eager to achieve the goal that they could forget about the main principle (ex: a ruler too passionate could stop caring about his people).
Chuang Zi and the Butterfly
Tao of Pooh Questions
Confucius
Confucius and Confucianism note
Confucius's Ideal Government discussion question
1) If I were a ruler in time of Confucius, then I would definitely follow his advices. First of all, I wouldn't want my people to disobey my orders for not being a virtuous leader. Also if the people follow and learn from my good behaviors, there will be no troubles and fights among the people. In addition, I believe that enriching and educating the people are one of the main jobs of a leader: the wiser the people are, the less chaos there will be.
2) I think that Confucius's ideas about government could be useful to the governors today. The governors should act morally, not only to gain respect or popularity but to set an example of how the people should truly live. The leaders should also provide education to enlighten the people and provide knowledge. Then the world would be a place where everyone is satisfied.
But some problems of Confucius's perspective is that he is unrealistic. Once a governor gains power, he/she will desire for more strength, property, money, etc and eventually become a bad example for the people, then no one will follow them.
==
Buddhism
Comparison Chart of Different Buddhisms
Buddhism Story "Four on a Log"
Religion
1) What is a religion?Religion is a system of belief of one or more god or any other iconic figure and their teachings.
2)What is a philosophy?
Philosophy is the way of life and how one should conduct one's behaviors, usually set by a scholar, authority, and other influential person/people.
3)What do religion and philosophy have in common?
Religion and philosophy both set the ways the followers should live by. Also there is usually one great figure who first began the belief and is respected.
4)How is the study of religion and philosophy important?
Religion and philosophy both take up a large part of people's lives, for the people live by the philosophy/religion. Therefore religion and philosophy can help us understand a people's culture and history.
Video and Script on My Religious Trip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKmYHZfzCk0 (Wiki said file was too big...)